Harvey Brookes: Waikato Wellbeing Project
Connecting global frameworks to local action: Harvey Brookes on housing affordability and systemic wellbeing in the Waikato
This episode features Harvey Brookes, Executive Director of the Waikato Wellbeing Project, who brings a distinctive perspective on connecting global sustainability frameworks to local community realities. Throughout his career, Harvey has worked at the intersection of sustainable development, housing, and social wellbeing, translating United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into practical outcomes for Waikato communities.
The conversation explores the Waikato Housing Initiative and the complex web of affordability challenges facing the region. Harvey examines how housing costs are inextricably linked with broader systemic issues including water infrastructure and food insecurity, demonstrating that housing affordability cannot be addressed in isolation. The discussion identifies both barriers and opportunities for the Waikato to pioneer a genuinely place-based approach to wellbeing, whilst grappling with the fundamental question of what structural changes would be required to make housing truly affordable for all residents across diverse income levels.
